Louise wondered if she should make some attempt to stop Belle and tell her that Ethel was most certainly not going to bingo or anywhere else tonight. But it was too late. Belle was already on her way up the stairs. She probably needed to put her feet up after traipsing around the town in those high-heeled shoes all day. Louise couldn’t even begin to figure out how she did it.

  Louise felt she had a minor dilemma on her hands. Should she tell Ethel that Lloyd had invited Belle to bingo? Or would Ethel even care? After all, it was Ethel who wanted to take Belle under her wing to start with. Surely, Belle had no designs on Lloyd. As Louise checked the inn’s e-mail, she decided this really wasn’t her problem. Let Lloyd and Aunt Ethel sort it out. Despite everyone’s attempts to draw Louise into Belle’s strange wedding scheme, this guest was not Louise’s personal responsibility.

  Chapter Nine

  How is our wedding Belle doing?” asked Alice as the three sisters ate dinner.

  “She seemed happy as a clam when I saw her just a few minutes ago,” said Jane. “She was on her way to bingo night.”

  “Bingo night?” Alice blinked. “I’m surprised she figured that one out already.”

  “Lloyd invited her to go with Aunt Ethel and him,” offered Louise as she dished out some salad.

  “But Aunt Ethel is home,” said Alice.

  “I know,” said Jane as she passed the platter of pasta to her. “I just took some dinner over to her. She still looks pretty bad.”

  “Poor Auntie,” said Alice. “I suggested aloe vera. It worked wonders for me when I got bee stings. But she wouldn’t hear of it. She doesn’t want anything to touch her face until the rash clears up, and she’s worried that she may be scarred forever.”

  “She won’t be, will she?” asked Louise.

  “No, her reaction wasn’t that severe,” said Alice.

  “So, just for clarification,” said Jane, “is Lloyd still taking Belle to bingo tonight, without Aunt Ethel?”

  “That’s my assumption,” said Louise.

  “Now that you mention it,” said Alice. “I do believe his car was in front.”

  “Don’t you think that is a bit odd?” asked Jane.

  “Oh, Jane,” said Alice. “It’s not as if he and Belle are on a date. I’m sure Lloyd was just being friendly and—”

  “Going out with a woman who’s on a manhunt,” added Jane.

  “But look at their age difference,” said Alice. “Goodness, Lloyd practically could be her grandfather. I’m sure he’s simply trying to make Belle feel at home.”

  “But what about Aunt Ethel?” asked Jane. “How is she going to feel when she finds out?”

  “Perhaps she knows,” suggested Alice hopefully. “I’ll bet she encouraged Lloyd to take her.”

  Louise looked at Jane. “What do you think? You were just over at our aunt’s house. Was she aware of this little development?”

  Jane shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. She did mention being disappointed that she wasn’t going, but I think she said something about Belle’s missing out as well. She may have assumed that Belle wouldn’t be going either. Or maybe I’m wrong. I couldn’t really say.”

  “Well, I’m worried about this situation,” declared Louise. “As soon as Aunt Ethel gets a phone call from one of her friends, inquiring about the young blonde woman accompanying Lloyd, Auntie will be furious.”

  “Oh, come now, Louise,” said Alice. “You make our aunt sound like a shrew. She will probably explain to the curious caller that she’s not feeling well and that Lloyd is simply doing her a favor by taking Belle with him tonight.”

  Jane laughed. “You probably know our aunt better than anyone else, Alice. But the part you left out is that after she hangs up the phone she will begin to fuss and fume, and she will most likely need her ruffled feathers smoothed.”

  “And I’d be happy to help smooth them,” said Alice.

  “Speaking of Belle,” said Louise. “Did Kenneth recover from his encounter with her at breakfast?”

  Jane laughed. “Oh, I think so.”

  “What happened?” asked Alice.

  So they both told her about Belle’s happy discovery that Kenneth was single and how she told him about her dream.

  “You should’ve seen his face,” said Jane.

  “He actually choked on a bite,” added Louise. “Poor man.”

  “But he should be flattered,” said Alice. “Belle is a nice young woman. Pretty too. Surely, he didn’t take her seriously.”

  “But she is serious,” said Jane. “How could he not take her seriously?”

  “Because he knows, of course, that he is not Mr. Right. Certainly, not her Mr. Right anyway. At least I don’t think he is. Do you?”

  “No, not really,” said Jane. “Although it was interesting seeing our usual cool, calm and reserved pastor rattled by her and her dream. It did make me wonder, but, no, I really don’t think that Belle and Kenneth will tie the knot.”

  “Of course not,” said Louise. “That’s ridiculous.”

  Then Alice changed the subject, asking Louise about how many rooms would be filled during the weekend.

  “Oh my, I forgot to tell you. We are going to be full up.” Louise’s pale blue eyes sparkled happily. “The last call came just before dinner.”

  “That’s wonderful,” said Alice.

  “And a huge relief,” agreed Jane. “Looks like the weather is finally working for us.”

  Alice glanced at Jane curiously. “So, did today’s sunshine put the spring back into your step?”

  Jane suspected that Alice’s question addressed more than just the weather. Even so, Jane just smiled. “Definitely. Spring has sprung.”

  As the three of them cleaned up after dinner, Alice began to giggle. “What is so funny?” demanded Louise.

  “I’m sorry,” said Alice. “I just imagined Lloyd and Belle at bingo and I realized that you’re probably right. Tongues will be wagging.”

  “Poor Lloyd,” said Jane. “I don’t envy him having to sort this all out.”

  “I have an idea,” said Louise, eyeing the berry cobbler that Jane had made for their dessert. “Why don’t we take dessert over to Auntie and attempt to gently break the news?”

  “That’s a wonderful idea,” said Alice. “It will come much more easily from us than one of her friends.”

  “Like Florence Simpson?” suggested Jane.

  “Oh my,” said Louise. “That would be dreadful.” Florence was a friend of Ethel’s, but friendship would not stop her if she had some gossip to spread. They all knew the way Florence could put a spin on the most innocent tale—not that their own aunt wasn’t occasionally guilty of the same thing.

  “This is a mission of mercy,” said Jane as they gathered the necessities for dessert and traipsed over to Ethel’s. They found her snuggled into her couch watching a game show, but she happily turned off her TV in trade for their company.

  “We thought you might be in need of a treat,” said Louise as she waved the still-warm cobbler under her aunt’s nose.

  “Oh, my darling nieces,” she gushed. “What would I do without you girls?”

  “Be lonely?” asked Jane. “Especially since you aren’t taking visitors just yet.”

  Ethel put a hand to her cheek. “I thought the swelling was going down, and then I looked in the mirror and it looked just the same.”

  “I would prescribe no more mirrors,” said Alice. “Not for at least three days.”

  Soon they were all settled around Ethel’s little kitchen table, and the sisters glanced uncomfortably at one another, each wishing one of the others would raise the subject of Belle and Lloyd at bingo. Finally, Jane nudged Louise beneath the table. After all, this was her idea.

  Louise cleared her throat. “Too bad you missed bingo tonight, Aunt Ethel.”

  “Wasn’t it though?” She dipped her fork into the berries and sighed.

  “I’m sure Belle was disappointed too,” added Alice. “She seems to really like you.”

  “Yes,” said Jane. “And I know she was sorry you weren’t able to take her around town today.”

  “As was I.”

  “It was certainly nice of Lloyd to take Belle to bingo anyway,” blurted Jane.

  Ethel stiffened. “Oh?”

  “Yes. We thought you’d probably encouraged him to take her, since you want to help Belle,” Jane said quickly.

  “And it turns out that Belle simply adores Bingo,” said Alice. “I think those were her very words.”

  “Yes, that’s what she told me,” said Jane.

  Ethel slowly nodded. “Well, I must admit I’m surprised. But then I did ask Lloyd to help our Belle out. I do want her to find her Mr. Right and get settled.”

  “That’s very generous of you,” said Alice.

  Ethel set down her fork and leaned back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest. “I hope not too generous.” She looked around the table at her nieces, her face still blotchy, red and swollen. “You don’t think Belle Bannister will take unfair advantage, do you?”

  Jane laughed. “No, of course not. That’s silly.”

  “But Lloyd is one of Acorn Hill’s most prominent bachelors.”

  “But he is also loyal to you,” said Alice.

  Their aunt nodded. “Yes, you’re right. He is.”

  “And Belle told me that as soon as you’re feeling better, Lloyd wants to set up a bridge foursome with you and him and Wilhelm and Belle.”

  “Oh, do you think that Wilhelm and Belle might be a match?” asked Ethel hopefully.

  “You just never know,” said Jane.

  “Wouldn’t they be adorable together? Wilhelm is such a snappy dresser, and Belle with her little outfits and pumps, well, she’s quite fashionable too. I can just imagine the two of them strolling through town together. Oh, I realize there’s a bit of difference in their ages, but that’s not so unusual. And I’ve been telling Wilhelm for some time that he should stop living with his mother.”

  “What he needs is for you to get better so that you can help him out,” said Alice. “You’re such a natural when it comes to these things. I felt completely out of my league today when I showed her around town. I am no good when it comes to matchmaking. I’m sure Belle was greatly relieved when I asked Lloyd to step in to help today.”

  Ethel patted Alice’s hand. “Well, I do appreciate your trying, dear. But I must agree that you are not the most clever person when it comes to romance.” She chuckled.

  Jane felt bad for Alice. “I don’t think I’m much good at it either.”

  “And you, Jane, goodness gracious.” Ethel used a scolding tone. “You could have more romance in your own life if you simply applied yourself.”

  “I’m sure that’s true,” said Alice quickly, “but perhaps Jane is not interested in more romance. I know that I’m not.”

  “Nor am I,” said Louise, standing. “Although I am interested in getting home and putting my feet up.”

  “Thank you, girls, for stopping in,” said Ethel. “Your kindness warms my heart.”

  “I hope you feel much better by morning, Auntie,” said Alice as they prepared to leave.

  “The truth is I’m feeling just fine,” said Ethel. “It’s how I’m looking that’s upsetting.”

  “Stay away from those mirrors,” Jane reminded her.

  “And keep drinking fluids,” said Alice.

  “That’s right,” said Louise. “That’s exactly what I tell Cynthia with her allergies: Use fluids to flush out the system.”

  “Yes, yes,” said Ethel as she waved. “Thank you again, girls.”

  Jane patted Louise on the back as they walked back to the house. “You were right, big sister, Auntie did need our help tonight.”

  “Let’s just hope that takes care of it,” said Louise as they went up the steps.

  “And that Lloyd and Belle haven’t run off to Las Vegas to be married tonight?”

  “Good grief, Jane,” said Louise. “Please, keep those ridiculous thoughts to yourself.”

  “Besides,” Alice reminded them. “That would not be in accordance with Belle’s dream. It’s not the first Saturday of June. And Las Vegas is not Acorn Hill.”

  “Right.” Jane rolled her eyes as they went inside.

  “Tomorrow is the beginning of a long weekend,” said Louise in a weary tone. “Unless you need me for anything, I think I’ll turn in early and get a good night’s sleep.”

  “I’ll help Jane in the kitchen,” said Alice.

  “Oh, that’s okay,” said Jane.

  “No,” said Alice firmly. “I want to help.”

  They were just finishing putting the dinner things away, and Jane had already turned on the dishwasher, when Alice broke a congenial silence.

  “I really don’t mean to pry, Jane,” she began in what seemed a cautious tone, “but I just wondered if everything was okay … Justin’s letter I mean. I keep thinking about how shocked you seemed to receive it. And I wondered if he is having health problems or something.”

  Jane supposed that was a possibility, although it hadn’t occurred to her before. “I don’t know, Alice, at least he didn’t mention anything like that. But, honestly, I don’t know.”

  “I realize it’s none of my business, but if you need to—”

  “No, that’s okay. And you’re right, I probably do need to talk.”

  “But if this isn’t the right time—”

  “No, this is as good a time as any.” Jane hung up the dish towel. “Why don’t we go get more comfortable?”

  Alice smiled. “My thoughts exactly.”

  They situated themselves on the couch in the parlor, and Jane told Alice about the contents of Justin’s letter. By now she had practically memorized the short note, and she didn’t hold anything back. Not that there was so much to it.

  “So, you see,” she said finally, “I don’t have the slightest idea why he wants to come all the way here or why he has this urgent need to see me, face-to-face. I mean if he needed to talk, he could easily pick up the phone. Or he could e-mail me. But to have this sudden need to speak to me in person, well, it’s unnerving to say the least.”

  Alice nodded. “Yes, I can imagine.”

  “Why do you think he’s coming?” blurted Jane.

  Alice seemed to ponder this. “Well, maybe he regrets losing you, Jane. I know you’re my sister and I do tend to be prejudiced in matters of family, but you’re a lovely person—so pretty, intelligent, witty, creative—”

  “Thank you, thank you.” Jane waved her hand in dismissal. “And while my ego is happy to get some strokes, I don’t think that’s what Justin is thinking.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I suppose I don’t know.”

  “Okay, Jane, here’s a question for you. How would you feel if that was the case? What would you do if Justin came here and begged you to take him back?”

  “Goodness!” Jane’s hand flew up to her mouth. “I have no idea.”

  “Perhaps that’s why he sent the letter, Jane. He wanted to give you time to think. Maybe he wanted you to be mentally prepared for, well, whatever.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Jane felt her cheeks grow warm and her heart begin to pound. Just the idea of this was truly unsettling. “I mean we really were over, Alice. We both knew it was for the best to part.”

  “Perhaps that was true at the time, Jane. But people can change. We can learn from our mistakes. Sometimes we can even repair broken bridges. And, certainly, we’ve seen you change in the short time that we’ve all been back together here in Acorn Hill. It may be that this chapter of your life isn’t finished yet.”

  “But I can’t imagine going back,” said Jane.

  “But you were happy in San Francisco. You enjoyed the pace, the art, the music, the restaurants, the theater—all that. You’ve told me before how you miss it sometimes.”

  “But not so much that I want to go back. It was never home to me, not the way Acorn Hill is home.” Jane felt her eyes getting misty. “Alice, the way you’re talking, I almost wonder if you want me to go back.”

  Now Alice was crying too. “Jane, Jane, you know I love having you here. More than anything, I want you to stay here forever. You and Louise both. I’ve never been happier than I am now with you two, running this inn.”

  “So what then? What are you saying?”

  “I just want what’s best for you, Jane. If somehow things have changed for Justin, if he discovered that he truly loved you and wanted to get back together with you, and if you felt the same way, well, I would want whatever would make you the happiest, even if it meant losing you. You know me well enough to know that I respect the sanctity of marriage. You know that I would never discourage you from doing what you believed was right.”

  “What if I don’t know what’s right?”

  “God will show you, Jane. I do believe that.”

  “And do you think God would want me to return to Justin if it made me totally miserable?”

  “That doesn’t sound like the God I know and serve.” Alice smiled as she dabbed at her tears. “I think if it was God’s will for you and Justin to reunite, you would be happy about it.”

  Jane threw her arms around her sister. “Oh, Alice, you are so wise. Sometimes you are just too good to be true. But then I know you are true. And I think I am so lucky to have a sister as good and as kind as you.”

  “Oh, now you’re just trying to feed my ego.” Alice patted Jane’s back, then released herself from their hug. “The truth is, I’m not that good. Really, I’m selfish when it comes to family, and if I could have my own way, you would never be allowed to go back with Justin. I would put my foot down so hard that the whole town would think there’d been a small earthquake.”

  Jane chuckled. “But we both know you would never really do that.”

  “Maybe not,” Alice sighed, “but I do hope that I won’t be put to the test.”

  “Oh, I don’t think that will happen, really, I don’t, Alice. Honestly, I can’t imagine Justin having changed enough to make me seriously consider going back to him. It just seems totally impossible.”